Package



Nov. 19, 1940. HARVEY 2,222,072

PACKAGE Filed Sept. 12, 1958 Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to articles of sheet material and relates more particularly to bales, bundles, or packages of sheet articles such as paper towels, toilet paper, etc. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and practical package of the character mentioned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package formed of a multiplicity of paper towels or similar sheet articles that is convenient to handle, ship, market, etc. and that may be readily used in a dispensing device such as a towel cabinet, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package of the character mentioned that requires only one narrow, readily removable strip or band of paper, or the like, to retain the sheets or towels in seriate or packaged order for convenient handling and ready insertion in a towel cabinet, or the like. The package of the present invention involving the simple narrow binding strap or band is cheaper to manufacture and easier to install and open than: prior packages embodying wide bands or crossed bands.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package of the character referred to in which the sheets or towels are notched to receive the retaining or binding band in such a manner that the band cannot slip or become displaced and so that the individual sheets cannot slip or project from the package or become separated from the package.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package of the character mentioned that may embody two or more spaced bands cooperating with preformed notches in the edge portions of the towels or sheet articles to dependably maintain the sheets or articles in the packaged order.

A further object of this invention is to provide a package of the character mentioned in which the sheet material elements or sheets remain flat or in their original condition and are not racked, bent or distorted by the retaining band or hands.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of package of the invention. Fig. 2 is an end or side view of the package illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged edge view of one of the sheet articles of the package illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating another form of the invention. Fig. 5 is a side or end view of the package illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating still another form of package of the invention, and Fig. 7 is a side or end view of the package illustrated in Fig. 6.

The present invention may be embodied in packages of paper articles and sheet material articles of various natures, for example, it may be embodied in packages of paper towels, toilet paper, disposable facial tissues, paper handkerchiefs, paper napkins, etc. In the following detailed disclosure I will describe several typical paper towel packages of the invention, it being understood that these embodiments and applications of the invention are merely typical and illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting or restricting the invention beyond the scope of the claim.

The package of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing may be said to comprise, generally, a seriate group or stack of sheets i0 having marginal openings or notches H and a retaining or binding band i2 engaged around the stack of sheets i0 and cooperating with said notches I I.

In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the sheets ill of the package may be varied greatly in shape, proportions, mode of manufacture, etc. For example, it may be considered that the sheets !0 are in the nature of paper towels formed of absorbent fibrous material or paper and intended primarily to be dispensed from towel cabinets or similar dispensing devices. The sheets iii are preferably alike in size and shape and are generally rectilinear members having straight margins or edges. The several sheet articles or sheets 10 are arranged in corresponding positions in the group or package. In the preferred illustrative form of the invention the sheets I0 are folded to make the package small and compact and to facilitate the handling and dispensing of the sheet articles or towels. Each sheet if] is folded along two spaced substantially parallel lines to have two flaps or folds i3 and M. The folds I3 and I4 lie flat against the bodies of the sheets it and in the case illustrated the two folds l3 and M of a sheet lie against the same face of the sheet. The folds l3 and M are preferably of substantial width so that the major portions of the sheets are of double thickness. This assures the substantially parallel relationship of the sheets ill in the package and makes the package or stack of uniform thickness or height. The formation of the folds I3 and It provides each sheet III with two opposite double edges or folded edges I5 and I6.

The openings or notches I I are characterizing features of the sheets III of the package. In the particular form of the invention being described there is one notch II in one edge or marginof each sheet III. The notches II are provided in the strong double or folded edges I5 or I6 of the sheets IS in preference to the weaker and more readily torn plain or unfolded edges of the sheets. In the case illustrated the notches II are provided in the folded edges I5 of the sheets II). The notches I I are preferably, though not necessarily, spaced midway between the ends of the folded margins or edges I5. While the notches I I may be of any selected shape I prefer to make the notches I I partially round in plan View. The notches II may be formed or produced in the sheets It in any selected manner. In practice the notches I I may be formed by punching or making openings in the bodies of the sheets I9 at points where the sheets are to be folded to have the folds I3 so that the planes or lines of the folded edges I5 cross or intersect the openings and the folding back of the folds I3 converts the openings into the notches II. The size or extent of the notches II may, of course, be varied at will; however, it may be preferred to relate the folded edges I5 and the openings in the sheets III in such a manner that the walls of the notches II extend for more than 180 and the lines of the folded edges I5 are tangent to small circles concentric with the central axes of the notches. It is to be noted that the notches just described may be inexpensively made by merely punching simple round openings in the several sheets III of the package.

The band I2 is provided to retain or bind the sheets IQ together in the stacked or packaged relation so that the multiplicity of sheets may be handled as a unit. The band I2 may be formed of any suitable material, for example, it may be constructed of twine, cord, fabric tape, paper tape, or the like. It is preferred that the band I2 be tearable or breakable to be easily removed from about the package when the package is to be opened. In the present case it will be assumed that the band I2 is formed of fibrous material or paper of sufficient strength to dependably retain the sheets III in the packaged relation and capable of being easily intentionally parted or torn to open the package. The retaining or bind ing band I2 is continuous to extend around the pack or group of sheets III. As illustrated in the drawings, the band I2 may be formed of a length or strip of paper whose end parts are overlapped and adhesively secured together as I! to constitute a continuous band.

In accordance with the invention the band I2 is arranged about the pack or stack of sheets III to be received in or passed through the groove formed by the registering or aligned notches II. Thus where the notches II are located as above described the band I2 extends about the package in transverse relation to the folds I3 and I4. The band I2, of course, extends completely around the group or stack of sheets to engage the upper and lower sides of the package, to engage in the notches II and to engage the margins or folded edges Iii. It is preferred to make the band I2 quite tight to firmly engage about and conform to the package and to tightly engage in the notches II. The walls of the notches II engaged by the band I2 are convergent and the band tightly engages these converging walls so that a wedging action is produced to better hold the band and the parts of the package against movement. The engagement of the band I2 in the notches II positively prevents endwise shifting of the sheets II]. Thus the engagement of the band I2 in the notches II serves to securely retain the sheets III in the stacked or packaged order and the band I2 need not be of substantial width in order to hold the package against racking, twisting and separation.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the package of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The notches II are easily and inexpensively provided in the folded sheets III and the binding element or band I2 is simple and easily secured about the package. The band I2 may constitute the sole means for maintaining the multiplicity of sheets It in the stacked or packaged condition and as above described the band may be a simple flexible element such as a length of twine, a strip of paper, or the like. The engagement of the band I2 in the notches II serves to efiectively prevent the slipping of the band I2 on the bundle or package and prevents shifting of the sheets Ill, racking of the package and endwise separation of the sheets of the package. The provision of the notches II does not materially complicate the manufacture of the sheets I0 and adds little to their cost. The band I2 being narrow is less expensive than the wider bands heretofore employed and may be more readily removed from the package. The band I2 may be easily parted or broken and slipped from about the stack of sheets II] without disturbing or shifting any of the stacked sheets.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing may be said to comprise, generally, a stack or multiplicity of sheets III each having spaced marginal openings or notches II a and binding elements or bands I2 engaging about the stack and cooperating with the notches Il The sheets Iii may be similar to the sheets I0 described above, that is, they may be rectilinear members each provided with two end folds to have two folded or double-thickness edges or margins I5 and I6 The sheets Ill are arranged in a pile or group in corresponding positions so that the package is a rectangular object or unit. The notches I I are preferably provided in one of the double-thickness or folded edges I5 or IE In the case illustrated the notches II are provided in the margins or edges I5 of the sheets Id There may be any selected or required number of notches II provided in the edge I5 of each sheet Ill As illustrated in the drawing there are two spaced openings or notches I I in the edge I5 of each sheet Ill The notches II are in corresponding positions in the several sheets Id so that the aligned or registering notches I I of the stack of sheets III form spaced grooves in the sides of the package. The notches II may be formed in the same manner as the notches II and may be of the same shape.

The bands I2 are the binding or retaining elements of the package and serve to hold the sheets II] in the packaged relation. The bands I2 may be similar to the above described band I2, that is, they may be 1engths or strips of paper having their end portions secured together in overlapping relation. Where there are two notches I I in each sheet Ill there are two bands I2 engaging about the pack of sheets. The binding elements or bands I2 are arranged about the package in such a manner that each band I2 cooperates with one row or aligned set of notches H The bands I2 may be rather tightly engaged about the stack of sheets Ill to dependably hold the sheets against relative movement and separation.

The engagement of the bands I2 in the notches II serves to dependably hold the bands I2 against shifting and disengagement from the package and serves to 'prevent shifting of the individual sheets It in directions transverse of the bands W. The bands I2 wrapped or enaged around the stack or package of course serve to prevent the shifting of the sheets in the other direction. In accordance with the invention the bands I2 are such that they may be readily parted or broken to provide for the removal or dispensing of the towels or sheets Ill Where the character of the sheet articles or the mode of handling, shipping or marketing the package makes it desirable or necessary to more securely bind the package the two spaced bands I2 are employed in preference to the single band I2 utilized in the previously described form of the invention.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing may be said to comprise, generally, a pack or stack of sheets Itl having notches II in their opposite ends and a band I 2 engaged about the stack and cooperating with the notches I I The sheet articles or sheets Ifl may be the same in shape and construction as the above described sheets II], that is, they may be rectilinear sheet or paper articles folded back upon themselves from opposite ends to have two folds and to have two opposite double-thickness edges I5 and lfi The sheets Ni are arranged in the package or stack in corresponding positions and are preferably alike in size and shape. The plain or unfolded edges 20 of the sheets I 0 may be provided with the notches II as illustrated in the drawing, although the invention contemplates the provision of the notches II in the opposite folded double-thickness edges I5 and Ifi In the construction illustrated there is one notch II b in each edge 20 of each sheet Ill The notches II may be of any selected or suitable shape. In the simple case illustrated the notches I I are partially round or half round marginal openings. The notches II are directly opposite or are aligned and are preferably spaced substantially midway between the edges I5 and Ni of the sheets IIi The binding element or band l2 to hold the sheets II] together in a stacked or packed order. The band I2 may be in the nature of a continuous length of cord, twine, tape,

is provided or the like. In the case illustrated the band I2 is in the nature of a continuous paper strip or band. The band Ii. may be constructed by overlapping and adhesively connecting the opposite end portions of a paper strip. This construction is illustrated at 2| in Fig. 6. The band I2 is preferably such that it may be easily parted or broken when it is desired to open the package. In accordance with the invention the band I 2 is arranged about the package or stack to engage in or cooperate with the notches II in the opposite ends of the sheets IN. The band I2 is preferably tightly engaged about the stack of sheets Iil to securely hold the sheets together.

The cooperation of the band I 2 with the opposite notches II holds the opposite end or side parts of the band I2 so that the band cannot slip or become displaced from the package and securely holds the sheets Ill against relative shifting and displacement. The band I2 is received or housed in the grooves formed by the registering notches iZ so that the portions of the band at the opposite ends of the package are not liable to be caught, torn or broken by engagement with cartons, obstructions, or the like, during shipment and handling of the package. Where the character of the sheets W or package, or the mode of shipment of the same makes it desirable or necessary, a band may be arranged about the package to engage in notches II in the double thickness edges I5 and to cross the above described band I2. It is to be understood that such a cross band (not shown) is not ordinarily necessary and for this reason has not been illustrated in the drawing. However, the notches I I c may be provided in the sheets Iii to permit the use of such a cross band when required.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A package of the character described comprising a stack of sheet articles, each article being folded to have a double-thickness margin, there being a notch in said margin of each article, the notches of the several articles being in registration, and a binding element engaging about the stack to hold the articles in the stacked relation and to prevent relative shifting of the articles in one direction and cooperating with said notches to prevent relative shifting of the articles in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction.

LEO' M. HARVEY. 

